Firefighters vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $16,070 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 37.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $35,100 | $-610 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $36,920 | +$7,260 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $43,460 | +$16,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $48,580 | +$28,830 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $59,450 | +$41,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $44,800 | +$19,090 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Firefighters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $164,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $121,270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $108,320 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,250 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,220 |
Best Cities for Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Pharmacy Technicians?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,070 (37.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Firefighters?
Firefighters salaries range from $34,490 (10th percentile) to $101,330 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,530.
What is the salary range for Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Firefighters and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS